PAM leadership receives former South African President, leader of MK party, Jacob Zuma

The collective leadership of Morocco’s Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) held talks, on Thursday in Rabat, with former South African president and leader of the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, Jacob Zuma.

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, coordinator of PAM’s collective leadership, which also includes Mohamed Mehdi Bensaïd and Fatima Saadi, met with Zuma to discuss prospects for strengthening cooperation and partnership between the two political formations and their respective countries on various matters of mutual interest.

Speaking to the press following the meeting, which was attended by, among others, the president of PAM’s National Council, Najwa Koukos, and Younes Maamar, a member of the political bureau in charge of external relations, Zuma described the talks with PAM officials as “fruitful and forward-looking,” highlighting the leading roles Morocco and South Africa can play in advancing development across the African continent.

Zuma also praised Morocco’s economic progress, describing the Kingdom as one of the most dynamic economies on the continent.

He further emphasized the need for African countries to unite, take ownership of their development and destiny, and fully leverage their resources free from foreign interference.

Zuma stressed the importance of engaging younger generations in shaping Africa’s future, noting that the two parties agreed to exchange visits and establish a platform for dialogue and consultation on issues of shared concern.

In a similar statement, El Mansouri said the meeting formed part of parallel diplomacy efforts aimed at bolstering cooperative ties, particularly with countries in southern Africa.

She noted that the approach aligns with the far-sighted vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to strengthen South-South cooperation as a strategic choice for the Kingdom, in order to build a shared future based on cooperation, solidarity, and integration among peoples.

El Mansouri also noted that the position expressed by Zuma’s party in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara represents a major boost to joint efforts between the two countries and their respective political forces.

Earlier in the week, following his talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, Zuma said his party considers Morocco’s autonomy plan “a pathway to meaningful local governance for the populations of the Sahara region, while preserving Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory.”